Deke Bellavia

Deke: An early look at the Seahawks

by Deke Bellavia,posted Jan 5 2014 10:32AM

We are down to the final four teams in the NFC Playoffs and the New Orleans Saints are most certainly in that number! The Saints' next opponent is a familiar one in the Seattle Seahawks. Next week’s meeting between the Saints and Seahawks marks the second post-season meeting since the 2011 post season. So let’s take a look, an early look at the Seattle Seahawks.

The Seattle Seahawks are one of the most complete teams in the NFL this season. Seattle ended the regular season with a 13-3 mark that included capturing the NFC West Division Title and the #1 overall seed in the NFL.

Looking at offensive numbers, The Seahawks are 17th in total offense with an average of 339 yards per game. Seattle has the 26th-best passing attack with an average of 202.3 yards per game. Seattle also has one of the best ground games in the NFL, averaging 136.8 yards per game, which is 4th best in the league.

Quarterback Russell Wilson has quickly become one of the bright young stars in the NFL, having compiled a 25-9 record as starting quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks. Wilson has completed 257 passes of 407 attempts for 3,357 yards with 26 TD’s and nine interceptions.

The Seahawks' rushing attack is led by the physical running style of Marshawn Lynch. This season Lynch rushed for 1,257 yards with an average of 4.2 yards per carry and 12 TD’s scored on the ground. The Seahawks' top target is Wide Receiver Golden Tate. On the season, Tate has 64 grabs for 898 yards with an average of 14 yards per catch with 5 scores this season. When it comes to defense the Seahawks have one of the best in the NFL. Matter of fact, Seattle is the best defensive team in the league!

Seattle ranks #1 in total defense, #1 in scoring defense as well as #1 in pass defense. The Seahawks allow a league-best 273 yards of offense per game and a league-best 14.4 points per game. Seattle is also #1 in pass defense this season allowing a league-best 172 yards per contest. Seattle is 7th against the run allowing only 101.6 yards per game this season. Seattle’s leading tackler is LB Bobby Wagner. Wagner has 120 total tackles this season with five sacks. Speaking of sacks, Michael Bennett leads Seattle with 8.5 sacks this season. And when it comes to picking off the football, no defensive backfield is better this season than Seattle’s.

Richard Sherman leads the NFL with a season-high eight interceptions while teammate Earl Thomas is tied for 5th in the NFL five interceptions.

So there is a little overview of the Saints next foe. Up next, we will take a look back at the first meeting this season between the Seahawks and Saints - a game won in Seattle 34-7 back on December 2nd.

David vs Goliath.... Proud of the Saints for getting to the next round!!! Just hoping for a competitive game. WHODAT

01/05/2014 8:59PM

Shameless in Seattle

Would it be a huge SHOCKER if the Saints beat the Seahawks? It would be less shocking than 7-9 Seattle beating 11-5 New Orleans three years ago. It's going to be a close competitive game that could swing either way. You know the last QB Seattle wants to see on the opposite sideline is Drew Brees. Who Dat!

01/06/2014 5:55PM

Huh?

Why would Drew Brees be the last QB Seattle wants to see? I guess you forgot those abysmal numbers him & the Saints offense out up in Seattle last month.

01/06/2014 10:41PM

Seattle Saint

The Saints will bring their A-game and more! Seattle should be very concerned. I was there for the playoff game 3 years ago and the Seattle fans are very rude and nasty in the stands and on the streets! The stadium was designed to create noise using speakers to help create it because the fans can't do it like we do it in the Superdome. Seattle should have learned last year that upsets do happen during the playoffs! Just don't be mad if your feathers get ruffled on Saturday. This is not the same Saints team you may think they are. We are getting good at plucking feathers! Who Dat!

01/07/2014 12:37AM

Speakers

Has anyone actually ever seen any actual speakers hidden in the Seahawks stands? If you've ever been to a game there, it's not really just about the volume...it's about the ENERGY

01/08/2014 12:49PM

Re: Huh?

Brees put up "abysmal" numbers in one game. It was JUST ONE GAME!!!! Look at his numbers since 2006 and tell me Seattle is anxious to face him again.

01/08/2014 5:48PM

Huh?

We are VERY anxious to see Brees and the Saints, im sure it will be a good game but the Seahawks will win the game! GO HAWKS!!

01/10/2014 9:40AM

Re: Huh?

To say you are "very anxious" to see Brees shows your football acumen, or lack thereof. It's like saying you are excited to see Peyton Manning, or like me saying I'm excited to go up against Marshawn Lynch. You can have confidence that your team will play well, but don't say something idiotic like you are "very anxious" to see one of the league's most proficient passers.